Specimen collection container having a fluid separation chamber

Abstract

A specimen collection container having a separation chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve located between the first chamber and the second chamber. In an open position, the valve permits fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. In a closed position, the valve maintains fluid isolation between the first chamber and the second chamber. A fluid stream passes from the first chamber to the second chamber through the valve permitting a predetermined volume of fluid to pass from the first chamber to the second chamber. When the predetermined volume of fluid passes to the second chamber, the valve transitions from the open position to the closed position so that additional fluid of the fluid stream received by the first chamber is maintained in the first chamber in fluid isolation from the predetermined volume of fluid contained in the second chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A specimen collection container comprising:
 a first chamber configured to maintain a fluid, the first chamber having an open top portion, a sidewall, and a bottom portion; 
 a second chamber having a top, a closed bottom, and a sidewall; 
 a valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the valve adjacent the top of the second chamber and the bottom portion of the first chamber and transitionable from an open position which permits fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber to a closed position which maintains fluid isolation between the first chamber and the second chamber; 
 an expandable material disposed within the second chamber, the expandable material being expandable to transition the valve from the open position to the closed position; and 
 a port having a closed position and an open position, wherein the port is configured to provide access to a fluid sample of the fluid from the first chamber via the port when the port is in the open position; and 
 wherein the fluid is maintained in the first chamber when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position and the fluid is inaccessible from the first chamber via the port or via the valve when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       2. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises:
 a channel extending between the first chamber and the second chamber; and 
 wherein the expandable material is capable of absorbing a predetermined volume of fluid and expanding to engage with the channel thereby transitioning the valve to the closed position. 
 
     
     
       3. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , further comprising a gasket such that expansion of the expandable material positions the gasket to transition the valve. 
     
     
       4. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable material is a sponge. 
     
     
       5. The specimen collection container of  claim 2 , wherein the valve comprises:
 a float which engages the channel when the valve is transitioned from the open position to the closed position. 
 
     
     
       6. The specimen collection container of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the float initially seals the channel, and wherein fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber disengages the float from the channel placing the valve in the open position. 
     
     
       7. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the port comprises:
 a nozzle defining a channel between the first chamber and an exterior of the specimen collection container; and 
 a septum covering the channel which transitions the port from the closed position to the open position to allow removal of the fluid sample from the first chamber. 
 
     
     
       8. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the port is disposed within the sidewall of the first chamber. 
     
     
       9. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the port is disposed within a removable lid adapted to cover the open top portion of the first chamber. 
     
     
       10. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a needle having an external tip, an internal tip adjacent the first chamber, and a needle cannula extending between the external tip and the internal tip, wherein fluid access to the first chamber is established through the needle cannula. 
     
     
       11. The specimen collection container of  claim 10 , wherein the external tip of the needle is recessed with respect to an external surface of the collection container. 
     
     
       12. The specimen collection container of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable material is glued to the closed bottom of the second chamber. 
     
     
       13. The specimen collection container of  claim 2 , wherein upon absorption of the predetermined volume of fluid, the expandable material has an expanded height, and wherein when the expandable material is at the expanded height, the expandable material acts on the valve. 
     
     
       14. The specimen collection container of  claim 13 , wherein the second chamber has a predetermined volume and wherein upon absorption of the predetermined volume of fluid, the expandable material fills the predetermined volume of the second chamber. 
     
     
       15. A specimen collection container comprising:
 a first chamber configured to maintain a fluid, the first chamber having an open top portion, a sidewall, and a bottom portion; 
 a second chamber having a predetermined volume and having a top, a closed bottom, and a sidewall; 
 a valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the valve adjacent the top of the second chamber and the bottom portion of the first chamber and transitionable from an open position which permits fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber to a closed position which maintains fluid isolation between the first chamber and the second chamber; 
 an expandable material expandable upon receipt of a predetermined volume of fluid to transition the valve from the open position to the closed position, wherein upon absorption of the predetermined volume of fluid, the expandable material fills the second chamber; and 
 a port having a closed position and an open position, wherein the port is configured to provide access to a fluid sample of the fluid from the first chamber via the port when the port is in the open position; and 
 wherein the fluid is maintained in the first chamber when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position and the fluid is inaccessible from the first chamber via the port or via the valve when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       16. The specimen collection container of  claim 15 , wherein upon absorption of the predetermined volume of fluid, the expandable material has an expanded height, and wherein when the expandable material is at the expanded height, the expandable material acts on the valve. 
     
     
       17. The specimen collection container of  claim 15 , wherein the valve comprises:
 a channel extending between the first chamber and the second chamber; and 
 a gasket located within the second chamber, 
 wherein the expandable material absorbs the predetermined volume of fluid and expands to cause the gasket to engage with the channel thereby transitioning the valve to the closed position. 
 
     
     
       18. A specimen collection container comprising:
 a first chamber configured to maintain a fluid, the first chamber having an open top portion, a sidewall, and a bottom portion; 
 a second chamber having a top, a closed bottom, and a sidewall; 
 a valve disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the valve adjacent the top of the second chamber and the bottom portion of the first chamber and transitionable from an open position which permits fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber to a closed position which maintains fluid isolation between the first chamber and the second chamber; 
 a gasket associated with the second chamber, said gasket configured to cooperate with the top of the second chamber upon receipt of a predetermined volume of fluid in the second chamber to transition the valve from the open position to the closed position such that additional fluid received within the first chamber is maintained in the first chamber in fluid isolation from the predetermined volume of fluid contained in the second chamber; and 
 a port having a closed position and an open position, wherein the port is configured to provide access to a fluid sample of the fluid from the first chamber via the port when the port is in the open position; and 
 wherein the fluid is maintained in the first chamber when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position and the fluid is inaccessible from the first chamber via the port or via the valve when the valve is in the closed position and the port is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
       19. The specimen collection container of  claim 18 , wherein the gasket is associated with an expandable material, said expandable material being formed from an absorbent material configured to absorb the predetermined volume of fluid and expand causing the gasket to transition the valve from the open position to the closed position. 
     
     
       20. The specimen collection container of  claim 18 , wherein a volume of the second chamber is smaller than a volume of the first chamber.